More than 100 Taliban killed in battles

Around 60 Taliban militants were killed today in a battle in an area protected by British troops, according to officials.

Other clashes in the region left 40 militants dead.

Taliban fighters used rockets and heavy weapons to attack Afghan forces on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand’s governor.

Militants attacked the city from three sides just after midnight, and were pushed back only after a battle that involved airstrikes, Mr Ahmadi said.

Rockets landed in different parts of the city, but there were no civilian casualties, he said.

Authorities recovered the bodies of 41 Taliban fighters on the city’s outskirts, said Ahmadi. Citing intelligence reports, he estimated the bodies of another 20 fighters were taken from the battle site by militants.

British forces are responsible for protecting the area around Lashkar Gah.

In a second battle in Helmand province, Afghan and international troops retook the Nad Ali district centre – which had been held by militants – during a three-day fight, Ahmadi said. That battle, which also involved airstrikes, ended yesterday.

Afghan police and soldiers were now in control of the district centre. There were no casualties among Afghan or NATO troops, Mr Ahmadi said.

The NATO-led force said it was aware of fighting in Helmand, but could not provide any information.

Helmand province is the largest drug-producing area in the world, and the region alone accounts for more than half of Afghanistan’s production of opium poppies.

More than 90% of the world’s opium is produced in Afghanistan, and up to US 100 million of the trade’s profits are used to finance the Taliban insurgency.

Insurgency-related violence has killed more than 4,700 people – mostly militants – this year.

A roadside bomb, meanwhile, struck a civilian vehicle travelling in Shamulzai district of Zabul province today, killing five people, said Ghulab Shah Alikheil, a provincial official.

Mr Alikheil blamed Taliban militants for planting the bomb.